jump scare

noun

variants or less commonly jump-scare

ˈjəmp-ˌsker 

or jumpscare

plural jump scares also jump-scares or jumpscares

: a scripted moment (as in a film or video game) intended to startle the audience

The biggest jolts in "The Omen" … come from conventionally staged jump scares, where a nasty image suddenly flashes on the screen accompanied by a startling sound effect.

—Li Wang

… differentiates itself from other VR [=virtual reality] horror games by not resorting to cheap jump-scares, instead flexing its brilliant visuals to build an atmospheric sense of foreboding.

—Chris Button

Examples of jump scare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Hulu series has a way of pulling viewers straight to the edge of their seats, not with jump scares or plot twists alone, but with the slow burn of betrayal, emotional tension and desire that feels almost too real. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

Trying to keep up with tariff news, especially as a consumer who isn't necessarily an expert in economic policy, can feel like dodging sporadic jump scares. —Marci Robin, Allure, 9 Jan. 2026

But Flanagan is also great at providing drama along with his jump scares. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026

Despite the data providing a jump scare or two, Macquarie’s head of economics, David Doyle, sees some green shoots. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jump scare

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare